Trace Minerals and Biochemical Profile in Buffalo Calves Manifesting Coat Colour Depigmentation in the Fluoride Endemic South-West Punjab

Abstract

The present work aimed to study trace minerals and haemato-biochemical profile of buffalo calves manifesting depigmentation of coat colour (depigmented calves: DC) in comparison to calves having normal coat colour (normal calves: NC) in the fluoride endemic zone of the South-West Punjab. Plasma fluoride concentrations in NC and DC were higher than the normal but it did not vary between the groups. Plasma copper concentration in DC was lower than the critical limit of 0.70 μgml−1 and it was significantly (p<0.05) lower as compared to NC. Hair copper and plasma ceruloplasmin activity did not vary between the groups. Plasma molybdenum, and plasma and hair zinc and manganese concentrations were normal and did not vary between the groups. Plasma iron concentrations in both the groups were higher than the physiological limit of 2.50 μgml−1. The hair iron concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in DC. The Hb, PCV, TEC, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, plasma urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, ALP, AST, CK and GGT were normal in both the groups. It is concluded that depigmentation of coat colour in buffalo calves from the fluoride endemic South-west Punjab is due to deficiency of copper.